Notices by dogtrax (dogtrax@mastodon.social), page 24

My 13-yr-old son has been asking for certain pair of sneakers for some time. We can't figure out why sneakers caught his attention, but no doubt it is age & social status. We're not on board with paying big for pumps. It's all marketing gimmick. So, we've been stalling him. Then we discover text exchange with some kid at school who is selling sneakers (that can't be good, right?) and squashed that text message negotiation in its tracks. Trying to find balance (but not New Balance). #smallstories

8-bit hugpop

I'm not a fan of meetings. Add a Friday Afternoon-into-Evening Meeting after a long day of teaching energetic 11-year-olds and my attention is bound to wander. But I found myself appreciating this Gathering of Us within my local writing project, as we talked through the many challenges facing our organization (no more fed support and a coming change in site leadership). We have a deep connection as teachers, as writers. That goes a long way. Craft beer and pizza helped, too. #smallstories

The campus was not how I remembered it. The only aspect that remained was the looming Sleeping Giant Mountain. Yesterday, my son toured the college where my mom went back as an adult to become a nurse, the first in her family to go to college, to earn a degree. I used to come with her as a young boy. She'd study in the library. I'd read, then explore. Yesterday, I tried in vain to place reference points of memory that were no longer there. Or unrecognizable in my disorientation. #smallstories

I have this long-running joke with a student who always tries to sneak into my classroom during passing times. As I send her on her way, I cite some imaginary cost to sitting in our room. "That will be 20 pencil top erasers" or "I'll be needing a hot air balloon ride to cover the price of admission" or "That will be a stack of blueberry pancakes." Yesterday, she waltzed in, handing me a box of pancake mix. Smiling, she said, "Now I am all paid up," and proceeded to take a seat. #smallstories

@djsundog Changing seasons bring both opportunity for renewal and the dangers of the unknown. I hope you find anchors to stay steady through the lessening light of days ahead.

While I've been hiding
notes
all over the place --
sharps
and
flats
and minor chords
of tension --
you've been stitching
melodies
inside of this space --
art
and
maps
and drawing us
beyond convention.

#smallpoems

in my life
scent of old books
after another